Finding Early NewZealand Passenger Lists 1856-1857

[marsbar60]

Hi, it seems the earlier I go, the harder it gets. I have traced my family history back to 1856(or 1857) when they arrived in Wellington. The only family members that I have confirmed together in the same generation at that time were Thomas Meagher born 1839 in Tipperary and his brother Michael born 1842. I have confirmed them through their probates etc. as being brothers. An article from The Cyclopedia of New Zealand about Michael who was the station master at Upper Hutt around 1880 states that the Meagher family arrived in Wellington on the Mail Schooner Marchioness in 1856 (link http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc01Cycl-t1-body-d4-d70-d2.html). I would like to search the Marchioness passengers lists to identify the whole family including Thomas and Michaels parents who I have so far failed to find, but I can't find any lists for the Marchioness(if the ship name is correct). Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

[Girl Guide]

I'm curious to know how you arrived at Michael MAHER being a brother of Thomas MEAGHER.  The surname spellings are quite different.

Michael is said to have been born in Clonmel and you have stated that Thomas was born in Tipperary.  Did the Meagher family move about?

Do you have other information that links these two together?

Have you found a marriage for Thomas at all?  There is one on the NZ BMD website for Thomas Meagher and Mary Walsh in 1867.  If this is your Thomas then obtaining the marriage certificate would give you his father's name.

https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search

[marsbar60]

They would spell their name either Maher or Meagher in NZ, which makes tracing them harder, but Michael's probate links him to Thomas because he leaves some money to Thomas's daughter Mary Ann Meagher, (who became Sister Mary Vincent) and Thomas's probate links to Michael because Michael was his power of Attorney while he was overseas. Thomas's probate also mentions his daughter Sister Mary Vincent. Also the birth dates and ages at death are correct etc. I meant Clonmel County Tipperary . I purchased the Thomas Meagher and Mary Walsh marriage certificate, but there were no parents names.

[garstonite]

Do you know where they sailed from ??...was it Ireland or England  ?? possibly Liverpool

[marsbar60]

It is still a mystery, I spent the day doing searches through the passenger lists to Melbourne from the UK but not really getting anywhere. The NZ Cyclopedia article states that they went to Melbourne first, but I have emailed Cyclopedia and they say the ship names may not be correct, although the Marchioness was certainly a mail ship at that time delivering mail to Wellington and Porirua. An affadavit from my great grandfather James Maher/Meagher on his father's probate states that he thought the family arrived in Wellington "around 1857" and Michael's probate states that he was born in Clonmel, which is why I thought the Cyclopedia article on Michael was close to being accurate.

[garstonite]

OK - We have a bit of a specialist on ships - member named Seaweed - send him a PM - or would you like me to send him one asking him to have a look at your post ??

[marsbar60]

Yes please, could you ask him if he would read the post. I will watch my messages, thank you.

[garstonite]

OK - will do that now 
added...done

[seaweed]

Within the realms of resonable doubt, The MARCHIONESS you are concerned with is the one built and then registered in Melbourne in 1854. Official number 40945, 177 tons. Later registered in Sydney NSW and New Plymouth NZ.
Sorry do not know about passenger lists, try, https://www.prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/passenger-records-and-immigration